Tape cutting and dispensing device



April 6, 1965 R. CCMET TAPE CUTTING AND DISPENSING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 5, 1962 INVENTOR. ALPH L. COMET ATTORN YS April 6, 1965 R. COMET TAPE CUTTING AND DISPENSING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1962 INVENTOR. RALPH L. COME-\- BY z/wzw fimm v @m ATTORN YS United States Patent 3,176,572 TAPE CUI'llNG AND DISPENSHJG BEVKQE Ralph L. Comet, Nutley, NJ. (289 Baldwin Road, Parsippany, NJ.) Filed Oct. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 229,520 3 Claims. (Ci. 83-49) This invention relates to the general held of ta e cutting and dispensing devices and, more specifically, the instant V invention pertains to the provision of means for cutting and dispensing adhesive-coated tape from a supply roll.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a manually-operable tape cutting and dispensing device for cutting and dispensing lengths of tape from a supply roll. 7

Another object of this invention is to provide a manually-operable tape cutting and dispensing device for cutting and dispensing lengths of tape from a supply roll thereof together with means for repeatedly measuring a desired length of tape prior to its severance.

A further object of this invention is to provide, in a device generally referred to supra, finger-receiving means to facilitate the advancement of the tape from the roll as it is cut and dispensed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a tape cutting and dispensing device of the type generally referred to above, means for supporting the tape in spaced relation relative thereto to prevent the tape from engaging and adhering to the device prior to the cutting and dispensing operations.

This invention contemplates, as still another object thereof, the provision of a tape cutting and dispensing device which is non-complex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture, and which is durable in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a tape cutting and dispensing device constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal medial detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 2 being taken substantially on the verti al plane of line 2--2 of FEGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the machine or device shown in FIGURE 1, FIGURE 3 being taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and V 'PlGURE 4 is a detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 4 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 4-5- of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 1% designates, in general, a tape-cutting and dispensing device or machine constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. T he device ll is seen to comprise an elongated, normally horizontal, U-shaped base 12. having a substantially rectangular bight block 14 of appreciable length, width and depth. The base 12 also includes as integral extensions of the bight block 14 and at the opposed sides thereof, a pair of laterally-spaced, elongated and substantially parallel side arms 16, 18. The bight block 14 adjacent the forwardlylocated corners thereof and the corners at the free ends of the side arms in, 18 preferably carry support-engaging resilient legs 20.

The side arms 15, 13 adjacent their respective free ends and at the upper sides thereof are formed with down wardly-extending recesses 21, 22 respectively, inclined at an angle in the direction of the bight block 14. The recesses 21, 22 removably receive therein the opposed 3,l?fi,572 Patented Apr. 6, 1965 ends of a shaft 24 on which is secured a roll of adhesive tape 26.

The bight block 14 is formed, adjacent its inner end, with a pair of longitudinally-spacedbores 28 connected with counterbores Stl, the latter opening in the plane of the underside 32 of the bight block 14. Received in the bores 2i; and the counterbores 3% are, respectively, a pair of screws 34 that are threaded into the'opposed ends of an elongated upright, substantially rectangular tape-supporting bar 36 extending longitudinally of the bight block 14. The upper end of tne bight block 14 is also formed with an inwardly-extending, substantially rectangular finger-receiving recess 38 that is parallel to the bar 36 and spaced inwardly therefrom.

The bight block 14, adiacent its outer end and from its remotely-disposed sides, is downwardly-bored at 40 and counterbored at 42 (see FIGURE 4) to receive therein screws 4-4. The upper ends of the bores ii are also counterbored to provide cylindrical seats 46 to receive the lower ends of a pair of upright standards 43 in which the screws 5-4 are threaded.

Surrounding each of the standards 48 is a helicoidal spring 50 having lower ends abutting against the bight block 14 and the upper ends thereof engagingagainst the lower ends of substantially hollow rectangular bosses 52 slidably mounted on the standards 43 and disposed at the remote ends of an elongated substantially rectangular striker bar 54'. The upper ends of the standards 48 are peened over as at it; to prevent the disconnection of the striker bar 54 from the standards 48.

The striker bar 54- has its upper end recessed to form a socket 58 (see FIGURE 3) to receive an elongated substantially rectangular striking pad 6t} formed of a suitable resilient material and secured therein by conventional means, such as, for example, an adhesive (not shown).

Extending transversely through the striker bar 54 adjacent each end thereof are screws 52 (see FIGURE 4) which are threaded into an elongated substantially rectangular cutter bar 6 disposed in an elongated downwardly-opening, inverted substantially U-shaped opening 6d formed between the bosses 52. As is shown in FIG- URES 2 and 4, the cutter bar 64 is provided with a centrally-located, longitudinally-extending blade-receiving groove having an inverted V-shaped configuration.

Extending longitudinally of the bight block 14 is an elongated, upwardly-opening channel as in which is press fit or otherwise secured a cutter blade '76: in an upwardlyprojecting position. As is seen in FIGURE 3, the channel 6 is disposed between the two standards 48, and the upper cutting edge 72 of the cutter blade 7% confronts and is aligned with the groove 68 and is receivable therein, as will be described.

Connected to the opposite sides, respectively, of the bight block 14, are C-shaped brackets 74 through the bight portions 76 of which are threaded clamping screws 78.

Each of the brackets 74 slidably receives therethrough the free ends of substantially parallel arms 8% of a U-shaped scaling or measuring device 32 (see FIGURES 1, 2 and 3) wherein the forward ends of the arms 8! are connected by a flange or bight member 83 having an edge 8 projecting above the upper edges of the arms 8t). The opposed sides of the bight block 14 are marked with downwardly-indicating arrows 85 which are adapted to be matched with sealer indicia 86 impressed, embossed, or otherwise applied to the arms 84?. The sealer indicia 8d designate the linear distance between the cutting edge '72 of the blade 79 and the edge 84 of the bight member 83. The forward or outer end 83 of the bight block is chamfered in order to obtain a maximum adjustment betwen the blade 70 and the bight member 83.

To operate the above-described tape-severing and dispensing device l0, it is only necessary that a length of tape 26A be extended across'and between the supporting bar 35 and the cutting edge 72 of the blade '70 below the cutter bar 64 to provide a length of tape 26B to be severed for dispensing purposes. The length of tape 26B may, optionally, rest on the edge 84 of the bight member 83, or may be out of contact therewith. Thereafter, the hand or closed fist 90 shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 4 is struck against the pad 60, forcing the striker bar 54 downwardly on the standards 43 against the tension of the springs 50. The V-shaped groove 68 encompasses a portion of the tape 263 immediately therebelow and forces the same against the cutting edge 72 of the blade 70 to eifect a severance of a tape length 2613. Removal of the hand or fist 99 from the pad 6%) permits the striker bar 54 to return to its original position under the bias of the springs 50, and the device is then ready for operation after the next length of tape 26B is drawn past the striker bar 54- and the blade 70.

To prepare the machine or device 10 for sequential operation, that portion of the tape 26A extending between the block. 36 and the blade 7% is lifted therefrom and passed forwardly between the cutter block 64- and the cutter blade 70 until the desired length of tape 263 to be dispensed is obtained, the forefinger of the operator normally engaging within the groove or recess 38 below the tape, and the thumb engaging over said tape.

In many instances it is desired that predetermined lengths of tape be employed in order to mask, code, identify, or otherwise serve utilitarian purposes to which the instant invention is not directed. However, in the 7 interest of economy and efficiency, the instant invenition and its arms 80 bearing the indicia 86 which are adapted to be matched against the arrows 85 carried on the bight block 14. The indicia 85 designates the linear distance this invention, it will be understood that the same is offered merely byway of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: j 1. A tape-severing and dispensing device comprising a substantially U-shaped base having a bight block from the opposed side of which, respectively, project a side arm, saidside arms being spaced from one another and being parallel with respect to each other, means on said side arms adjacent the outer ends thereof for supporting a roll of tape therebetween, a tape-supporting bar mounted on said bight block and projecting therefrom, a cutter blade fixedly secured to said bight block and projecting laterally therefrom in the same direction as said support bar, said cutter blade projecting above saidbight block, said support bar being disposed intermediate said roll of tape and said cutter bar and being substantially parallel to the latter, a pair of standards mounted on said bight block, said standards being disposed adjacent each end, respectively, of said cutter blade, said standards being spaced outwardly from the adjacent end of said cutter blade, a striker bar having its respective ends slidably engaging one of said standards whereby said striker bar may reciprocate on said standards, said striker bar being reciprocable vertically over said cutter blade and having a longitudinally-extending groove formed therein constantly confronting and being constantly aligned with said cutter blade, said cutter blade being engageable within said groove to effect severance of a length of tape drawn from said roll and making line contact with said cutter blade, and resilient means surrounding each of said standards and interposed between said striker bar and said bight block, said resilient means constantly biasing said striker bar for movement away from said cutter blade.

2. A tape-severing and dispensing device as defined in claim 1, and said bight block having a fingerreceiving recess formed therein parallel to said support bar and disposed intermediate said support bar and said cutter blade, said recess being adapted to receive the finger of the operator below said tape to lift said tape from said blade and advance the same between said blade and striker bar as successive lengths of tape are severed.

3. A tape-severing and dispensing device as defined in claim 2, and means to accurately measure a length of tape to be severed, said last-named means comprising a bracket secured, respectively, to each side of said bight block, a substantially U-shaped member having a bight and arms projecting laterally from the ends thereof, said bight of said bracket being disposed in spaced relationship relative to said bight block and longitudially with respect to said base, said last-named arms having sealer indicia extending longitudinally thereof, said arms being slidably and adjustably received within said brackets wherein said bight of said measuring means may be moved toward and away from said cutter blade, and scalerindicating means on each side of said bight block.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 388,872 9/88 Holmes 83588 390,515 10/88 Owen 83-4-68 833,470 10/06 Lipowsky 83 507 1,476,664 12/23 Wiesner 83-522 1,644,639 10/27 Diago 83-522 1,870,800 8/32 Elder 83-522 ANDREW R. IUHASZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TAPE-SEVERING AND DISPENSING DEVICE COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED BASE HAVING A BIGHT BLOCK FROM THE OPPOSED SIDE OF WHICH, RESPECTIVELY, PROJECT A SIDE ARM, SAID SIDE ARMS BEING SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER AND BEING PARALLEL WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, MEANS ON SAID SIDE ARMS ADJACENT THE OUTER ENDS THEROF FOR SUPPORTING A ROLL OF TAPE THEREBETWEEN, A TAPE-SUPPORTING BAR MOUNTED ON SAID BIGHT BLOCK AND PROJECTING THEREFROM, A CUTTER BLADE FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID BIGHT BLOCK AND PROJECTING LATERALLY THEREFROM IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS SAID SUPPORT BAR, SAID CUTTER BLADE PROJECTING ABOVE SAID BIGHT BLOCKSAID SUPPORT BAR BEING DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE SAID ROLL OF TAPE AND SAID CUTTER BAR AND BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE LATTER, A PAIR OF STANDARDS MOUNTED ON SAID BIGHT BLOCK, SAID STANDARDS BEING DISPOSED ADJACENT EACH END, RESPECTIVELY, OF SAID CUTTER BLADE, SAID STANDARDS BEING SPACED OUTWARDLY FROM THE ADJACENT END OF SAID CUTTER BLADE, A STRIKER BAR HAVING ITS RESPECTIVE ENDS SLIDABLY ENGAGING ONE OF SAID STANDARDS WHEREBY SAID STRIKER BAR MAY RECIPROCATE ON SAID STANDARDS, SAID SATRIKER BAR BEING RECIPROCABLE VERTICALLY OVER SAID CUTTER BLADE AND HAVING A LONGITUDINALLY-EXTENDING GROOVE FORMED THEREIN CONSTANTLY CONFRONTING AND BEING CONSTANTLY ALIGNED WITH SAID CUTTER BLADE, SAID CUTTER BLADE BEING ENGAGEABLE WITHIN SAID GROOVE TO EFFECT SEVERANCE OF A LENGTH OF TAPE DRAWN FROM SAID ROLL AND MAKING LINE CONTACT WITH SAID CUTTER BLADE, AND RESILIENT MEANS SUPPORTING EACH OF SAID STANDARDS AND INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID STRIKER BAR AND SAID BIGHT BLOCK, SAID RESILIENT MEANS CONSTANTLY BIASING SAID STRIKER BAR FOR MOVEMENT AWAY FROM SAID CUTTER BLADE. 